Author: Bhakti Narayanan

In the near future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to embark on a highly anticipated visit to Egypt, a significant powerhouse in the region and one of India’s largest trading partners in Africa. This visit is likely to take place later this month as PM Modi returns from his trip to Washington. The United States President, Joe Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden, is set to host PM Modi for an Official State Visit, including a grand state dinner, scheduled for June 22. PM Modi’s visit to Egypt holds great significance as it aims to revitalize the longstanding…

Vinay Pai, an Indian American tech executive, has recently been chosen as a trustee on the board of Rice University for a four-year term starting from July 1, 2023. The appointment of Pai, along with two other individuals, was announced by Rice University, based in Houston, on May 23, 2023. Pai, an alumnus of Rice University, currently serves as an advisor to the CEO and previously held the position of Chief Technology Officer at Bill.com, a financial services provider specializing in digital business payment solutions. He has also led engineering teams at Intuit Online Payroll and QuickBooks Online, where he…

The Chelsea Flower Show of this year has recognized the accomplishments of eight remarkable “Heroines of Horticulture,” including Dr. Janaki Ammal, an Indian botanist who overcame numerous challenges and pervasive gender bias to leave her mark in the field. Born in Kerala in 1897, Ammal conducted groundbreaking research at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Wisley in Surrey from 1946 to 1951. Her exceptional skills led to her being recruited by the organization, establishing her as one of the foremost botanists of her time. The RHS, founded in 1804 and hosting the Chelsea Flower Show for over a century, observed that…

Dr. Jaishankar eloquently expresses the significance of the Mandir, recognizing it as not just a symbol of India’s ancient civilization, but as a representation of centuries of culture, creativity, wisdom, and faith. The temple serves as a testament to India’s illustrious history and the far-reaching influence of its culture. However, the Mandir holds more than historical value; it also signifies the ongoing global realignment where nations strive for greater respect and fairness in their interactions. The Mandir stands as a beacon of harmony, showcasing what can be achieved through mutual understanding and cooperation. What adds to the specialness of this…

Amy Allocco, a Professor of Religious Studies, has received two prestigious research fellowships, including a Fulbright award, to carry out ethnographic research in South India. Her focus is on a previously unstudied group of Hindu artists and priests, with the aim of expanding our understanding of their practices. In the coming year, Allocco plans to spend eight months in Tamil Nadu, India, conducting an ethnographic study of pampaikkārar, a lineage of Hindu drummer-priests. These individuals play a crucial role in various religious and cultural rituals, such as family rites, domestic ceremonies, and temple festivals. Allocco’s research will delve into the…

Famous economist Dr. Bibek Debroy, who serves as the head of Prime Minister Modi’s Economic Advisory Council, forecasts that India will expand at a comfortable real rate of 7.5 percent and will probably reach high-income status by 2047. In a book titled “India 2047: High Income with Equity,” written with more than 20 other economists, including the former chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, Dr. C. Rangarajan, Debroy outlined his estimates for India in 2047. On May 27, 2023, the day the Prime Minister is set to discuss his vision for the Amrit Kaal plan at the Governing…

India’s GDP expanded by 7.2% in 2022–2023, spurred by investments and a rise in the services sector. According to official figures, the nation’s GDP growth rate during the January through March quarter of the preceding fiscal year was 6.1%, exceeding forecasts. This is greater than the third quarter’s rise of 4.5% from October to December. India’s growth rate decreased to 6.2% in the second quarter from its previous reading of 13.1% in the April-June period. The International Monetary Fund revised its growth forecast for India down to 5.9% in April of this year. “India’s macroeconomic indicators are still largely positive.…

A significant day was May 14, 2023, when the Bhoomi Pooja (groundbreaking ceremony) for the much-anticipated temple featuring a 25-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman was held at the Monroe, New Jersey-based Om Sri Sai Balaji Temple & Cultural Center. The ceremony attracted a sizable crowd of devotees, locals, and visitors, “symbolizing the unity and devotion of the community,” said a news statement. The Indian consul general in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, was present. According to the temple’s press release, the 11.2-acre property, which will contain an authentic Hindu temple and cultural center, strives to meet the community’s spiritual requirements while…

The renowned filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma’s 1990 Manipuri film “Ishanou” has undergone restoration and is set to make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 16-27. This restored version of the movie, which explores the Maibi culture of Manipur and stars Anoubam Kiranmala and Kangjam Tomba, has been recognized as a World Classic and will be showcased in the Cannes Classic section. Originally, in 1991, the 91-minute film was an official entry in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes. The Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) collaborated with the Film Heritage Foundation in Mumbai and…

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in discussions with UK Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad, addressing various topics including the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). EAM also raised concerns about the vandalism of the Indian High Commission by Khalistani elements in March and emphasized the UK’s responsibility to ensure the security of Indian diplomatic missions. In a tweet, EAM expressed, “Had a meeting with UK MOS Lord @tariqahmadbt today in New Delhi. We discussed a wide range of issues, from FTA and South Asia to Indo-Pacific and G20. Emphasized the need to safeguard the security of our diplomatic missions…